The Witch Hunter

Exeter, 1195. When a prominent burgess and guild-master falls dead across his horse, Crowner John declines to hold an inquest as the man had been complaining of chest pains and shows no sign of injury. Events take a sinister turn, however, when a straw-doll is discovered hidden under the man's saddle, a spike driven through its heart...

Fear in the Forest: A Crowner John Mystery, Book 7

June 1195: A tall, brown mare gallops into the sleepy village of Sigford, its rider dragged by the stirrup, the broken shaft of an arrow protruding from his back. The embroidered badge on the dead man's tunic identifies him as a senior officer of the Royal Forest. But with plenty of money still in the victim's purse, the motive is a mystery. When a second forest officer is violently attacked, County Coroner Sir John de Wolfe begins to uncover evidence of a sinister conspiracy. And why is his unscrupulous brother-in-law, the sheriff Sir Richard de Revelle, taking such an interest in the case?

Figure of Hate: Crowner John Mysteries

Exeter, 1195: At day-long a jousting tournament, a serious altercation takes place between High Peverel and a stranger by the name of Reginald de Charterai. Two days later, Hugh's body is found in a barn. Is de Charterai to blame? The county coroner, Sir John de Wolfe, soon finds plenty of other suspects for the murder of the almost universally hated Hugh Peverel.

The Tinner's Corpse

Crowner John is summoned to investigate the murder of a tin miner. The victim worked for Devon's most powerful and successful mine owner, Walter Knapman. There seems, to be only one motive - to sabotage Walter's business. But the tinners have their own laws, and they are none too pleased at Crowner John's interference. How on earth can Crowner John sort all this out when his own life is in turmoil?

A Plague of Heretics

Following a series of murders which appear to be linked to a revival of heresy, some of the cathedral canons begin a crusade against this danger to the Church. When Sir John is accused of being too sympathetic to the heretics, the coroner finds himself having to seek sanctuary in order to save his own life. Can he survive long enough to unmask the real killer?

The Noble Outlaw: Crowner John Mysteries

Exeter, 1195. Renovations at the new school in Smythen Street are disrupted by the discovery of a partially mummified corpse - and Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner is called to investigate. Richard de Revelle, founder of the school, immediately tries to blame Nicholas de Arundell, a young outlawed knight living rough on Dartmoor. As Sir John discovers, Nicholas has good reason to bear a grudge against the unscrupulous de Revelle. But is he really a killer?

The Manor of Death

When a body is discovered in the harbour town of Axmouth, Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner, is summoned to investigate. The manner of the young man's death is a matter of some dispute - but, as Sir John soon discovers, it was no accident. The victim did not drown, as the manor reeve alleges, but was strangled. In the ensuing investigation, Sir John is frustrated by what appears to be a conspiracy of silence among the seamen and townsfolk. Just what is the local population trying to hide?

Crowner Royal

London, 1196. At the command of Richard the Lionheart, Sir John de Wolfe has left his beloved West Country for the Palace of Westminster, where he has been appointed Coroner of the Verge. But with the king overseas, embroiled in a costly war against King Philip of France, Sir John is dismayed to discover that the English court is a hotbed of greed, corruption and petty in-fighting.

The Invention of Fire: A Novel

Though he is one of England's most acclaimed intellectuals, John Gower is no stranger to London's wretched slums and dark corners, and he knows how to trade on the secrets of the kingdom's most powerful men. When the bodies of 16 unknown men are found in a privy, the sheriff of London seeks Gower's help. The men's wounds - ragged holes created by an unknown object - are unlike anything the sheriff's men have ever seen. Tossed into the sewer, the bodies were meant to be found.

Veil of Lies: Crispin Guest, Book 1

Crispin Guest is a disgraced knight, stripped of his rank and his honor - but left with his life - for plotting against Richard II. Having lost his bethrothed, his friends, his patrons and his position in society. With no trade to support him and no family willing to acknowledge him, Crispin has turned to the one thing he still has - his wits - to scrape a living together on the mean streets of London.

Serpent in the Thorns: Crispin Guest, Book 2

Convicted of treason, Crispin Guest was stripped of his title, his land, his money and his friends. Now with only his considerable wits to sustain him, Guest works the mean streets of 14th century London, building a small reputation for his skill. In 1383, a simple-minded tavern girl comes to his door - a body was found where she works and she’s the only person who could have killed him. Except for the fact that the man was killed in place by a precisely aimed crossbow bolt. Making matters worse, the murdered man was one of three couriers from the French king, transporting a relic intended to smooth the troubled relations between France and England.

Death of a Scholar: The Twentieth Chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew

In the summer of 1358 the physician Matthew Bartholomew returns to Cambridge to learn that his beloved sister is in mourning after the unexpected death of her husband, Oswald Stanmore. Aware that his son has no interest in the cloth trade that made his fortune and reputation, Oswald has left the business to his widow, but a spate of burglaries in the town distracts Matthew from supporting Edith in her grief and attempting to keep the peace between her and her wayward son.

Troubled Bones: A Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Book 4

After an ill-considered action one night in London, disgraced knight Crispin Guest heeds the summons of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has specifically requested Guest’s presence. The archbishop has received letters threatening violence against the bones of saint and martyr Thomas à Beckett, the greatest treasure on display in the cathedral in Canterbury. Guest, who has been living by his wits since being stripped of his honor, his title, and his lands, has earned a reputation for solving seemingly impossible puzzles and finding lost objects.

Lamentation

Summer, 1546. King Henry VIII is slowly, painfully dying. His Protestant and Catholic councilors are engaged in a final and decisive power struggle; whoever wins will control the government. As heretics are hunted across London, and radical Protestants are burned at the stake, the Catholic party focuses its attack on Henry's sixth wife - and Matthew Shardlake's old mentor - Queen Catherine Parr.

Shadow of the Alchemist: A Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Book 6

Once a Knight of the Realm, Crispin Guest was stripped of his title and his lands and now must earn his living with his wits. In various corners of late fourteenth-century London, Guest has become known as the Tracker, a man who can solve any puzzle or find any missing object - for a price. Because of that reputation, Guest is sought out by Nicholas Flamel, a famed alchemist. Both Flamel's wife and his apprentice are missing, and he wants Guest to find them and bring them home.

The Cheapside Corpse: Exploits of Thomas Chaloner, Book 10

London in the spring of 1665 is a city full of fear. There is plague in the stews of St Giles, the Dutch fleet is preparing to invade, and a banking crisis threatens to leave Charles II's government with no means of paying for the nation's defence.Amid the tension, Thomas Chaloner is ordered to investigate the murder of Dick Wheler, one of the few goldsmith-bankers to have survived the losses that have driven others to bankruptcy - or worse.

When Gods Die

The young wife of an aging marquis is found murdered in the arms of the Prince Regent. Around her neck lies a necklace said to have been worn by Druid priestesses - that is, until it was lost at sea with its last owner, Sebastian St. Cyr's mother. Now Sebastian is lured into a dangerous investigation of the marchioness's death - and his mother's uncertain fate.

Judith A. Weller says:"A Great Sequel to the First Book in the Series"

Gallows Thief: A Novel

The year is 1820 and England has fought its last victorious battle against the French. Rider Sandman, a hero of Waterloo, has finally returned to London to wed his young bride. But instead of being able to settle down to his fame and glory, he finds himself penniless in a country where unemployment and social unrest are raging high, and where men - innocent or guilty - are hung for the merest of crimes. Thus, when the Home Secretary offers him a job as private investigator.

The Demon's Parchment: Crispin Guest, Book 3

In 14th century London, Crispin Guest is a disgraced knight convicted of treason and stripped of his land, title and his honor. He has become known as the “Tracker”- a man who can find anything, can solve any puzzle and, with the help of his apprentice, Jack Tucker, an orphaned street urchin with a thief’s touch - will do so for a price. But this time, even Crispin is wary of taking on his most recent client. Jacob of Provencal is a Jewish physician at the King’s court, even though all Jews were expelled from England nearly a century before.

Shroud for the Archbishop: A Sister Fidelma Mystery

Wighard, archbishop designate of Canterbury, has been discovered garrotted in his chambers in the Lateran Palace in Rome in the autumn of AD 664. The solution to this terrible crime appears simple, as the palace guards have arrested Brother Ronan Ragallach as he fled from Wighard's chamber.

The Spider's Web: A Sister Fidelma Mystery of Ancient Ireland

In the spring of AD 666, Sister Fidelma is summoned to the small Irish village of Araglin. An advocate of the Brehon law courts as well as a religieuse, she is to investigate the murder of the local chieftain. While she is traveling there with her friend, Brother Eadulf, a band of brigands attacks the roadside hostel in which they are staying and attempts to burn them out. While Fidelman and Eadulf manage to beat back their attackers, this incident is only the first in a series that troubles them.

A Poisonous Plot: The Twenty First Chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew

In 1358, over a century after its foundation in Cambridge, the college of Michael house is facing a serious shortfall of funds and competition from upstarts rivals such as Zachary Hostel. Their problems are made no easier by the hostility of the town's inhabitants who favour the university moving away to the Fens. This simmering tension threatens to break into violence when a well-known tradesman is found dead in one of the colleges.

The Straw Men

January, 1381. As guests of the Regent, John of Gaunt, Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston are attending a mystery play performed by the Straw Men, Gaunt’s personal acting troupe, at St John’s Chapel in the Tower of London when the evening is rudely interrupted by sudden, violent death. Who would have the audacity to murder two of Gaunt’s VIP guests and the wherewithal to strategically position two severed heads on the stage without being noticed? The regent orders Athelstan to find out.

The Subtle Serpent: A Celtic Mystery

In the year 666 A.D., a headless female corpse is found in the drinking well of a remote abbey in southwest Ireland: clasped in one hand is a crucifix; tied to the other arm is a pagan death symbol. Sister Fidelma--sister to the king of Muman, a religieuse, and an advocate of the Brehon law courts--is sent to investigate.

Absolution by Murder: A Sister Fidelma Mystery

In AD 664 King Oswy of Northumbria has convened a synod at Whitby to hear debate between the Roman and Celtic Christian Churches and decide which shall be granted primacy in his kingdom. At stake is much more than a few disputed points of ritual; Oswy's decision could affect the survival of either Church in the Saxon kingdoms. When the Abbess Etain, a leading speaker for the Celtic Church, is found murdered, suspicion falls upon the Roman faction.

Publisher's Summary

Exeter, 1195. When a prominent burgess and guild-master falls dead across his horse, Crowner John declines to hold an inquest as the man had been complaining of chest pains and shows no sign of injury. Events take a sinister turn, however, when a straw-doll is discovered hidden under the man's saddle, a spike driven through its heart...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Witch Hunter to be better than the print version?

Not sure. I liked the fact that the narration was clear and straight-forward without any gimmicks but would probably have felt the same about this book if i had read it myself.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Witch Hunter?

The rescue of Nesta from the Bush tavern. The scene at the burning tavern was very well realised.

Which character – as performed by Paul Matthews – was your favourite?

Crowner John as he came across as a decent man who cared about other people. However he was a character within the time in which the novel was set so had his faults and was far from perfect which made him more likeable.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Witch or wisewoman? Time to make up your mind.

Any additional comments?

Historical setting obviously well researched and so gave a lot of interesting information. Characters very believable and even had me feeling sorry for the supporters of King Richard, knowing his brother would soon be on the throne!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Susan

Alford, United Kingdom

12/15/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another excellent Crowner John!"

If you could sum up The Witch Hunter in three words, what would they be?

Superb, fascinating read!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Crowner John is a complex, diverse and totally believable character who has many dimensions to his character including his mistresses!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Crowner John declines to hold an inquest; he is usually so keen to exert his influence and this change of tack was an interesting diversion from the usual ride roughshod and do his duty!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Crowner John faces unknown, sInister and medieval trials to his authority

Any additional comments?

Another rip roaring Crowner John mystery ! Slightly different in its approach but Bernard Knight is always finding new ways to enthrall his readers. The fact that his long term mistress Nesta is facing accusations as a witch is a welcome added dimension.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Penelope

Callander, United Kingdom

8/5/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"The Witch Hunter"

I like a medieval mystery and Bernard Knight's Crowner John books are great, and he characters build in each one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

barry

COLCHESTER, United Kingdom

7/23/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"captivating"

first time for a sort of who done it.fantastic book great characters and made all the more good by a brilliant reader who put a lot into each person in the book. really well done.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Roses

England

7/23/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Rather slow?"

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I don't know if it's just me but I find listening to a novel quite hard in audio form. So perhaps my finding this novel slow is because I'd prefer to read it 'properly'. However I enjoyed the characters and the attention to detail. It's a good listen, I like the reader, but I think it would be a better 'read'

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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